California utility to pay $82 million settlement in lawsuit stemming from enormous 2020 wildfire

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California utility has agreed to pay the federal authorities $82.5 million stemming from an infinite 2020 wildfire that churned by mountains northeast of Los Angeles and into the Mojave Desert, officers stated Friday.

The U.S. Justice Department announced the cost by Southern California Edison on Thursday. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated in a press release that the settlement gives “significant compensation to taxpayers for the intensive prices of preventing the … fireplace and for the widespread harm to public lands.”

Edison agreed to pay the settlement inside 60 days of its efficient date, May 14, with out admitting wrongdoing or fault, prosecutors stated.

Utility spokesperson Diane Castro stated, “Our hearts are with the people who were affected by the Bobcat Fire. We are pleased to have resolved this matter and will continue to advance wildfire mitigation measures.”

The settlement stemmed from a 2023 lawsuit filed by federal prosecutors on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service against Edison and Utility Tree Service to recover costs from fighting the so-called Bobcat Fire and for the extensive damage that it caused to the Angeles National Forest.

The government alleged that the fire ignited when trees that were not properly maintained by the utility and its tree maintenance contractor came into contact with power lines. Damage from the fire closed campgrounds and more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) of trails for years and harmed habitat for the federally endangered wildlife-mountain yellow-legged frog and federally threatened fish and birds, the government said.

“These resources will help us rehabilitate burned areas, restore wildlife habitats and strengthen our forests’ resilience to future wildfires,” stated Deputy Forest Supervisor Tony Martinez of the Angeles National Forest.

The fireplace charred about 178 sq. miles (461 sq. kilometers).

Last 12 months, the utility agreed to pay $80 million to settle claims on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service linked to an enormous wildfire that destroyed greater than a thousand properties and different buildings in 2017.

Authorities are persevering with to research the reason for the Eaton Fire, which destroyed not less than 7,000 properties and different buildings and laid waste to total neighborhoods earlier this 12 months. Lawsuits towards SCE say the utility’s gear sparked the blaze.

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California utility, $82.5 million settlement, Bobcat Fire, wildfire mitigation measures, Angeles National Forest

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